This can be a very annoying symptom and can be due to the relaxing effect of the pregnancy hormones on the smooth muscle of the bowel which slows the bowel transit time down, as well as the mechanical effect of the baby pressing on the bowel.
Having a healthy, balanced, high-fibre diet with wholemeal breads, wholegrain cereals, fruit and vegetables, beans and lentils and exercising daily will help to maintain a regular bowel habit.
Make sure you also drink plenty of water throughout your pregnancy.
Movicol® sachets (1–2 per day), Agarol® or Coloxyl® are all safe to take.
Some iron tablets may cause constipation and there are liquid formulations of iron as an alternative which can be less constipating.